Living in the world that we do, we all have burdens, hardships and trials in abundance. What we don’t always have is the will to persevere. Perhaps we lack faith that simple acts of kindness can solve our problems.

We don’t always hold the solutions needed for our lives to be worry free. And sometimes, we have to accept the painful consequences of our actions, but it doesn’t mean we can’t get past them. The secret to enduring is to spread the cheer. Yeah I know simple, right? When we smile at someone, do them a good turn or simply be understanding in a difficult situation we are prospering simple acts of goodwill that will lighten our own lives.

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What he’s saying is rather than look down and think negatively we need to look up, think up then spread that attitude with the way we act and treat others. When we do we can find greater strength to endure our own burdens.

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Photographer

ajhaysom is an Australian photographer on flickr whose subjects range from the wonderful flightiness of birds to the gritty street art of Melbourne. I have a personal passion for birds and fell in love with many of his incredible shots from his neck of the woods, but when I saw this original photo I was really quite entranced with the bird’s powerful expression. His talent for capturing the beauty of birds in nature is truly a blessing.

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My second truth that makes Latter Day Saints so unique is their belief in The Book of Mormon.

This record testifies of the true history of an Ancient People to witness to them of how history repeats itself

The Bible in turn is the sacred records of the Hebrew race on the eastern hemisphere. The Book of Mormon then is the American volume of scripture and is just as sacred and inspired. I’ve read both of these books several times and every time I marvel at how they echo one another while standing as a witness of their own times and their own places.

I am inspired that the Nephite prophets so desired to share their writings that they prayed that their records may be preserved to be brought to light in the current age. Many people believe that there is no God today, that our Lord and Redeemer is done and has given His power to men. I say that these records show this to be false.

Examples from History for the Modern People of Today

I love and adore several of the men, the prophets, who testify of their time in this volume. None more so than Mormon. If you were to read the Book of Mormon with the eye to knowing the true history of the American continent I’d suggest no better source. Mormon is the man tasked with preserving this record. He was an incredible example of courage and endurance. If I manged a pinkie’s worth I would succeed at anything I put my mind to do.

History is a rich source of examples to pattern our lives after. History wouldn’t repeat itself so often if it didn’t have valuable lessons to learn within its pages. The Book of Mormon is no different. How are we going to walk in the truth if we do not know it?

We Too Can Choose To Seek for Truth

Latter Day Saints believe in the Book of Mormon because it is another testimony of God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. Like other historical documents it holds examples and patterns that endure through all passage of time. Today we have access to so much information that it is hard to believe that a record so old can have bearing on our lives. I affirm to you the Book of Mormon can change your life for the better.

We can listen to rumors or we can seek the truth for ourselves. Many slander the idea of the Book of Mormon with the insistence that there is no need for another Bible. Such negativity was prophesied, nevertheless it doesn’t make the Book of Mormon any less of a record preserved by God.

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You can read more from Joseph Fielding Smith on Witnesses of the Book of Mormon here.

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What do you do, over saturated with a cloud’s life bringing gift and burning from the multi-colored rays beaming overhead?

You grow.

Such has been my May. I thought April was hard. It was but I was also successful.

In the weedy ground of failure there is still life, it’s under a heavy weight of brown, molding expectations but it doesn’t mean new shoots can’t push through. It just takes work, effort and perseverance.

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With failure comes an opportunity to grow, our expectations don’t need to drop but our pride needs to be humbled…

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I wasn’t even able to keep up with my posts here this month! I did create a quote card even if I didn’t get to share it so there were tiny steps made forward. Over on Perspective I’m still working on May’s recurring posts. I did complete two of them, and I stuck to my number one priority for most of May – write!

There are times in everyone’s lives that we get bogged down. We believe if we keep moving that the baggage will drop to the wayside by itself. It’s not always true. Sometimes we need to stop, take stock of ourselves, clean up and head out again free of what doesn’t work.

That’s key. If it’s not working shed it. Whether it’s a habit, a vice or a perception. We aren’t made to fail. We are made to grow. After heavy showers and rainbows sometimes comes rebirth…

Persist in becoming. Act your way to success. Fighting!

yaykisspurr

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“The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.”          –Charles Swindoll

Several years ago, I used to have a friend that I spent most nights hanging out with. We enjoyed each other’s company and never fought. We were never jealous of one another and happily helped one another achieve our aims whatever they may be. We traded things we didn’t need with the other and listened attentively to each other’s troubles.

One day, I’m not even sure how it came up, I was put on the spot about my religion. I didn’t particularly want to share. We’d talked about our beliefs but never labeled them. I shared anyway: I a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In other words, I’m a Mormon.

“My father said, Just be the same person you are in the dark that you are in the light.”     –Jabari Parker

I could have evaded the question. Spoken of Christianity, of my belief in Jesus Christ. That wasn’t the question. If I had modified or explained away my faith, or even simply diluted it I would not have felt well. I’m not ashamed of my faith. I’m very passionate about it but I am also well aware of how the rest of society feels about Mormons.

The best kind of courage doesn’t fight robbers or jump into raging rivers. No it’s an inner strength that means making the right decisions no matter the circumstances around us. This doesn’t mean we aren’t afraid to risk, that we don’t care if we lose a friend or become unpopular. No one would have known what I told my friend.

But I knew my friend. And my friend knew me. I could not at that time become a sudden hypocrite.

“We will all face fear, experience ridicule, and meet opposition. Let us—all of us—have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle.”               –Thomas S. Monson

It took a while but my friend grew distant. Nothing I said or did helped. Our easy, breezy, loving relationship was dead. Mine was not a spectacular act of courage. I did take a situation in my life and chose to do not that which was easy but that which was right.

The consequences were not immediate yet my peace of mind remained. I had defended the truth. I had held fast to that which I knew was right. The shifting sands of popular opinion are not where I want to plant my feet. Since then I have had other opportunities to be courageous and I do not doubt that I have become stronger for sticking with the rock of my religion.

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Thomas S. Monson talks more here about Being Strong and of Good Courage.

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“Mothers are endowed with a Love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth.”    –Marjorie Pay Hinckley

One of the many lessons that I learned at her knee is that I have the ability to do anything that I make an effort to do. I believe she shared this idea with me out of love. Because I felt the power of that love this belief inscribed deeply on my heart.

It has so empowered my life that the sky is my limit. I never see boundaries as stopping points so much as problems in need of solutions. I’m not satisfied with doing my job I want to do my job well. Quite simply if I believe, I can make it happen. That’s the power of a Mother’s love. We mustn’t forget the lessons our Mothers have taught us – they empower us to become better everyday as we apply their timeless truths.

“There are few things more powerful than the prayers of a righteous mother.”    –Boyd K. Packer

My family is very important to me, but like all oldests with younger siblings we are irritated by them to some degree or other. Her unwavering example of love toward my sister and brothers quite impresses me. Not because she is unusual in her love of her children but because that love is so powerful. I remember a time when she prayed quite hard for one of my brothers. And what followed was a set of circumstances that has allowed him to grow and change, all for his betterment.

This challenged me to pray about my relationship with another of my siblings and through another change in circumstances I was able to love my brother like I never have before. We are blessed when we share the love of a Mother. We don’t even have to be mothers yet to do so – we simply need to remember how our Mothers loved us.

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”    –Abraham Lincoln

She and the Lord share many ways that they both have effected my life: in creation, in love, in sacrifice, and in service. And like with God I can’t even begin to enumerate the many ways in which her love has blessed my life.

We all forge our own path once we leave our parent’s shelter but we must never forget to carry on what we learned from our Mothers or our God. Their loving beliefs and actions can be road signs to our own path to becoming. I’m ever so grateful for my mother and my God.

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Thomas S. Monson talks more here about the Importance of Mothers.

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We have all felt alone at some point in our lives. There is a secret I want to share with you about loneliness: we are never truly alone! Yes, God is with us, he’s aware of our trials and struggles.

When we share burdens with another person we halve the weight we are carrying. We can also share our burdens with God and we don’t have to limit ourselves to the big ones either. In fact, the Lord shows us he is with us every single day. If we look at the small mercies we receive even our attitudes can uplift us and help us through any burden.

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What he’s saying is rather than dwelling on the negative, if we will take a step back and consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness. I love that it is in our power to control every aspect of our lives through our attitude!

Take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the blessings, large and small, you have received. You will find experiences that, at the time, often seemed unremarkable and even ordinary. Those extraordinary coincidences were in fact blessings to enrich your time on the earth.

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Photographer

Xuzhenqinandy photographs all sorts of subjects for their wallpaper website here. I love the great outdoors photographs especially though and when I found this starry night sky original photo I was blown away. Their talent for capturing the beauty from so many different places is amazing and I’m so blessed to be able to use their work to reflect such a powerful idea!

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One of the first truths that make Latter Day Saints (the proper term) so unique is their belief in Joseph Smith.

A 14-Year-Old Seeker of Truth Shares with the World the Power of Faith

As a tender boy of 14 years old, Joseph Smith, like many Americans of his time, was deeply religious. He sought for the truth, not through what would fit his preconceived notions, but, he reasoned, from the one being who knew: God. As counseled by the Bible, Joseph said a simple prayer in a grove of trees. This act started a devout farm boy on the path to restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth.

This history is so filled with faith I marvel at its power every time I hear it. You can doubt his testimony but in the face of contempt and persecution, which continued to increase until his martyrdom, Joseph never wavered. He later wrote:

“I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true. … For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it.”

An Example of Courage, Honesty, Patience, Diligence and Love

As a regular human being who struggles with life I love this example. Joseph Smith was just like me. He wasn’t a perfect man; he was simply one filled with virtue who committed to serve God every day of his life. He had a family, brothers, sisters and a mother and father. He married and had children, one he lost due to the persecution. He translated the Book of Mormon through difficulties and trials. He sought to be a good person and did the best he could to live up to God’s ideals.

I too want to have the courage to stand up in the face of a bully’s violence. I too want to share my beliefs with honesty and to treat others with respect and acceptance. I too want to diligently work toward my goals and to patiently wait for success to come from my efforts. Since patience is a particular trial of mine I too want to endure those difficulties put in my path without complaint or even irritation. I too want to love by serving others with an open heart. I too want to become a better person. That is Joseph Smith’s legacy.

We Too Can Choose To Become Better

Latter Day Saints don’t actually worship Joseph Smith though we think highly of him, no we worship God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith is very simply an example of a servant of God who did his work as well as he could possibly manage, even going so far as to die for his beliefs. Today we rarely have to lay down our lives when we face opposition but we do have to turn our faces to God like Joseph Smith did.

Let’s all seek the truth. Many slander the idea of Joseph Smith and revile his integrity and motivations. Such negativity was prophesied, nevertheless it doesn’t make him any less a prophet of God.

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You can watch videos and read more in-depth on these beliefs about Joseph Smith here or read Thomas S. Monson’s talk on his example here.

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Re·deem [ri-deem] verb (used with object), 7. to make up for; make amends for; offset (some fault, shortcoming, etc.)

The theological definition of redeem is to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.

In basic terms redemption is a ransom paid for freedom. There are many things that can chain us, most of these stem from the actions of others and how those actions make us feel. Should we be above these feelings? Sure, it doesn’t mean we always are.

We can’t pay for or take on the consequences of other people’s actions. We can redeem or offset the negativity they’ve caused.

Com·fort [kuhm-fert] verb (used with object), 1. to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to.

Is this our responsibility? Is it our duty? No.

This past weekend I was asked a couple of enlightening questions. I’m a great lover of questions; they inspire us by the sheer fact they require us to think about ourselves in a more objective light than we might normally. The context of these questions lay in that a man I admire and look up to was urging a group of us to look around and become aware of the people beside us.

Take a moment and ask yourself: If not us, who? If not now, when?

En·cour·age [en-kur-ij, -kuhr-] verb (used with object), 1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.

Yes, we can redeem others by being aware of the struggles around us and relieving them in any way we can. In other words we can comfort, soothe, cheer up and encourage.

This might mean helping your wife with the dishes even though she could do them once the kids go to bed. One could help a co-worker sort the paperwork that took a dive out of their weary arms. A single person can usher a tired mother ahead of them in line at the grocery store.

As we take action we become. In that moment we redeem their negative feelings for positive ones.

Sac·ri·fice [sak-ruh-fahys] noun, My personal definition of sacrifice: the surrender of time and effort for the sake of a person we want to love more. 

This redemption will take some small amount of self-control. Feelings of frustration and irritation will have to be dissipated through kindness and tenderness. Instead of focusing on what we need and what we feel we must train our eyes to find other’s burdens and teach ourselves ways we can lighten those loads.

Prioritizing is a major step in redeeming. We can either be on twitter or we can be visiting a friend who needs a friendly smile. We can play a video game or help a neighbor load their moving van. It means choosing to have the family down the street, over for dinner, who just lost their jobs instead of our best friends. That takes sacrifice. That takes effort.

Now that’s a pattern of love we ought to share with everyone we meet.

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Wilford W. Andersen discusses The Rock of Our Redeemer more HERE.

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April rain clouds do break under the warmth of light, giving way to sparkling rainbows…

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April has been tough. That’s really frank, isn’t it?

I’ve been working on a major writing project over on Perspective of a Writer, my other blog. It’s been a planned “writing every day but Sunday” deal and that is quite wearying.

I’m exhausted.

It’s also been exhilarating, empowering and ennobling.

Here on yaykisspurr! I’ve been talking patterns as well as shared my love of Korean music. These posts are totally original and the patterns are at the heart of my faith. As far as projects go these aren’t huge, but deal with a lot of original thought all while I’m writing over on Perspective too.

I love that I’ve been able to keep it up. I’m also glad to see that the end is in sight. (And I’ll be onto a bigger better project!)

And that’s my message to you this month…we all experience rain, tough moments that seem to know no end, but they will. The clouds will break and give way to sunlight. Such is the relationship between showers and rainbows… Keep on becoming. Act your way to success. Fighting!

yaykisspurr

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Sav·ior [seyv-yer] noun, 1. a person who saves, rescues, or delivers.

Many people throughout the world love Jesus Christ. Have you ever stopped to think why? Why do people love God when He doesn’t willy nilly fix our lives when we ask Him to? Why do people do good things for others when their reward is laid up in heaven and not received here and now?

One reason is that we feel He knows and loves us. No matter how lonely or forgotten or lost we know His love can sustain us in the trials that life will surely bring. It’s empowering to know we need never feel alone, that we need never give up hope.

Save [seyv] verb (used with object), 2. to keep safe, intact, or unhurt; safeguard; preserve.

I want to hope that many people also are a part of a relationship that should always provide safety and acceptance – that of the human family. For some that is not the case, but if it isn’t that doesn’t mean you can’t form your own family and shelter your own children with safety and acceptance.

One reason a family is so important is it is the source of our greatest joys and sorrows. Family relationships bring us the joy that comes from putting the welfare of others above our own. It is the true definition of love. And sorrow, which comes primarily from selfishness (and is the absence of love), can be more easily forgiven in a family. Our family will always be there, no matter the distance, no matter the sorrow, because they love us.

Save [seyv] verb (used with object), 3. to keep from being lost.

The saving examples in your own life may not take the form of Jesus Christ, nor of your family. They are symbolic of a larger idea: hope. In other words, being optimistic about what lies ahead of us. The source of our hope can come from many others within our human family. Counselors, teachers, friends, co-workers, and any other person we might meet going about our day.

For me, I’ve been blessed with several people who have been my Saviors. One is a woman from my church who is gifted with much gospel knowledge who willingly shares her perspective and point of view. Applying some of her ideas has made such a difference, literally preserving my life.

Hope [hohp] noun, 1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

No matter our experiences nor our circumstances, we all have moments when we need saving. Sharing with others the hope we feel can rescue them from danger, safeguard them or keep them from being lost. And when we think about someone other than ourselves we too know joy. Whether as disciples of Christ, in our Families or as fellow human beings we can be each others’ Saviors along the paths of life. By acting we can banish sorrow.

Now that’s a pattern of love we ought to share with everyone we meet.

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Henry B. Eyring discusses Our Perfect Example more HERE.

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